Thursday, April 24, 2008

And That Happened

Brewers 5, Phillies 4: Cole Hammels gets through seven innings having given up three runs with 11 strikeouts, having thrown 112 pitches, and the Phillies in the lead. Charlie Manuel sends him out for the eighth, however, and its Braun-double, Fielder-homer, Hammels-showers, and Phillies-lose. Set up-guys? We don' need no stinkin' set-up guys!

Giants 3, Padres 2: Trevor Hoffman and Greg Maddux might both retire at the end of this season and end up on the same dais in Cooperstown five years later. Then, they'll probably be laughing. Now? They're probably not speaking to each other as Hoffman blows Greg Maddux's (7 IP, 0 ER, 5K, 0 BB) would-be 350th win.

Tigers 19, Rangers 6: Detroit's new first and third basemen combine for 6 RBI in one inning to fuel the rout. Of course the new first baseman was DHing and the new third baseman was playing first, but that's not important right now. It's not all good news, though, as Kenny Rogers (3.1 IP, 9 H, 6 ER) continues the rotation's struggles.

Angels 6, Red Sox 4: Usually, when a player misses a game due to "flulike symptoms," it means he has a hangover. This time it really means the flu, as for the second day in a row the Sox have to go with an emergency starter due to someone praying to the porcelain Jesus.

Astros 9, Reds 3: Bronson Arroyo and his guitar have been starring locally in humorous commercials for a pre-processed meat company. He's enjoying the gig so much that he's lately been seen serving up meatballs and turning the Reds' chances into hamburger (3.2 IP, 10 H, 8 ER, 7.56 ERA on the season).

Rays 5, Blue Jays 3: The Rays are again playing games at Disney World as part of an initiative "designed to bolster fan support in the Orlando area." Last night's attendance: 8,989. You're doing it wrong, Tampa Bay.

Yankees 6, White Sox 4: Mike Mussina (7 IP, 2 ER) is temporarily re-animated. Now if Hughes and Kennedy can give them anything, these kids might make something out of themselves.